Putting a family member in a nursing home can be one of the most emotional moments in life, but at least we know that our loved one is in good hands. There is a friendly medical staff that has the capacity to take care of our loved one, and there is sufficient facilities for their medical needs.

But not all those in nursing homes are having comfortable lives. Some of them suffer from different kinds of abuses. What makes it worse is the fact that most of the time they do not have the capability to defend themselves, or even the capacity to communicate their situation. As someone who is not physically limited, you have the responsibility to make sure that your loved one is in a safe environment.

Physical abuse
This kind of abuse is the easiest to see, because most of the time there is physical evidence, like wounds. Physical abuse is mostly done by the medical staff and other patients. Some of the most common signs of physical abuse include unexplained wounds, bruises, or any kind of injury. If your loved one has clothes that are torn or bloody, he or she may also be a victim of physical abuse.

Sexual abuse
Believe it or not, even the elderly population is vulnerable to sexual abuse. If your loved one suddenly has difficulty in standing, walking, or sitting, unexplained injuries especially in the pelvic area, or unwarranted sexually transmitted diseases, he or she may be suffering from sexual abuse.

Emotional and psychological abuse
The different kind of abuses can have negative effects on the emotional and psychological state of your loved one. If you notice that your loved one is acting differently than usual, having anxiety attacks, or suddenly withdrawing from social interaction, he or she may be experiencing some kind of abuse in the nursing home.

Negligence
Sometimes, the abuse takes on a form that does not directly cause harm to your loved one, like negligence. If your loved one is experiencing negligence, he or she may look malnourished, dehydrated, or unhygienic.

Nursing home abuse is such a serious issue that there are even law firms specializing in them, and lawyers, such as Michael G. Rapaport, will fight for you. But you don’t want to get involved with legal matters, especially because of their money and time costs. So the best option is still to avoid nursing home abuse. If you see the signs stated above, start being suspicious and be vigilant. After all, we are talking about the safety of a loved one.